Wednesday, 21 December 2016

Opel Corsa and ADAM successors to roll off production line in Zaragoza

Opel thus meeting existing collective agreements in Eisenach

Production structures and logistics thereby being made more efficient

Opel is setting a new course to make production in Europe even more efficient: The successor of the extremely successful Opel Mokka X SUV will be made in Eisenach as of 2019. The successors of the Opel Corsa and the Opel ADAM will be produced in Zaragoza as of 2019.

“The revised allocations will make production considerably more efficient,” said Philip R. Kienle, Vice President Manufacturing at Opel. “The focused allocation of individual cars to a production site enables synergies in assembly and improved logistics coordination. We are taking an important step towards the future.” Dr. Wolfgang Schäfer-Klug, chairman of the general works council, also emphasized the importance of the new allocation. “This decision secures the jobs of the colleagues in both plants while simultaneously creating perspectives. Based on our IG Metall collective agreement, we have succeeded in achieving the long-term utilization of the plants in Eisenach and Zaragoza with outstanding products.”

Jörg Köhlinger, district manager of the IG Metall trade union, added: “The implementation of the future collective agreement shows how right this agreement was and is. Everybody involved has helped set a course that will secure the future of the sites and jobs while also shaping the future of the Opel sites.”

Opel Mokka X, Corsa and ADAM are three of the most popular cars made by the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker. To date, around 670,000 customers have chosen an Opel Mokka or Mokka X. 630,000 units of the Corsa and 225,000 units of the ADAM have been sold.

Bestseller: Orders for the new Opel Mokka X have already reached 100,000
making it one of the most important cars in the company’s portfolio.

Only around six months after the orders books for the new Opel Mokka X opened, the sub-compact SUV (Sporty Utility Vehicle) has lived up to its reputation of being a guarantee for success. Across Europe 100,000 customers have ordered the meanwhile third most important model in the Opel line-up.

Opel Mokka X could be ordered in the first European countries at the end of May. In September, it gradually made its way to the European dealerships. And, just like its predecessor, it proved to be a big hit. In Germany for example, the Mokka X managed to overtake stiff competition and even claim top spot in highly competitive SUV registration rankings in November. In addition, there is a clear trend visible for the Opel bestseller: More than half of the Mokka X cars are ordered in the highest trim level (“Innovation”).

The Mokka X has helped Opel tap into new customer groups that appreciate an individual character with sophisticated design, powerful propulsion and a unique technology and connectivity offering. While the rugged exterior shows that the car is ready for an off-road adventure, the interior is elegant and comfortable. Technology highlights include the Full LED headlights, the ultra-modern Opel Eye front camera along with outstanding infotainment with smartphone projection and the personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar.

“The Mokka is a success story for Opel. We have received 670,000 orders since its market launch at the end of 2012. We really struck a chord with customers at a very early stage with our sub-compact SUV. The new Mokka X ties in with this seamlessly,” said Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales. “And next year we will up the ante even further by launching our new CUVs, the Crossland X and the Grandland X, in this important growth segment.”

The Crossland X and the Grandland X are part of Opel’s major model offensive with 29 new models being launched from 2016 through 2020. No less than seven new vehicles will be launched in 2017 – more than ever before in a single year. The new CUVs (Crossover Utility Vehicle) will compete in a booming segment with the market share of SUVs/CUVs in Europe set to nearly treble from 2007 to 2017.

Opel is bringing the latest adaptive cruise control (ACC) technology to the compact market segment, introducing the new radar and camera-based ACC on the Astra hatchback and Sports Tourer with six-speed automatic transmission.

Compared with conventional cruise control, ACC brings additional comfort and a reduction in stress for the driver by maintaining a certain distance to the vehicle ahead. ACC automatically adjusts the speed to follow the vehicle in front according to the selected following distance. The system automatically decelerates the car when approaching a slower moving vehicle, if necessary by applying limited braking. If the vehicle ahead accelerates, ACC increases the car’s speed up to the selected set speed. ACC behaves like conventional cruise control if there is no vehicle in the driving lane ahead, but it will additionally apply the brakes to maintain the set speed when driving downhill.

The latest generation ACC from Opel uses not only the radar of conventional systems, but also the Astra’s front camera to locate a vehicle ahead in the Astra’s driving lane. The system operates at speeds between 30 and 180 km/h.

The Astra’s full speed range adaptive cruise control can even brake the car to a full stop behind a preceding vehicle and provide the driver with additional support, for example in traffic jams. When the car has come to a full stop, it can automatically resume following the vehicle ahead within three second[1]. Otherwise, the driver selects resume by pressing the “SET-/RES+” switch or the accelerator pedal when the vehicle in front starts moving again. If the vehicle in front starts moving and the driver does not respond, ACC gives a visual and an audible reminder to relaunch the car. The system then follows the vehicle again (up to the set speed).

“For us at Opel, driving is fun when it is neither boring nor over-demanding,” says William F. Bertagni, Vice President Vehicle Engineering Europe. “The Astra’s latest-generation adaptive cruise control technology perfectly matches our philosophy by taking more of the chore out of long distance driving or stop-and-go traffic, and helping the driver to stay fresh and concentrated.”

Opel Astra - Six-speed automatic transmission.

The driver controls ACC via switches on the steering wheel, selecting a “near”, “mid” or “far” gap for the preferred distance to the preceding vehicle. The “SET-/RES+” switch controls the speed while icons in the instrument cluster inform the driver about set speed, selected gap and if ACC has detected a vehicle ahead.

Cockpit display: icons in the instrument cluster inform Astra-driver about set speed, selected gap and if adaptive cruise control has detected a vehicle ahead.

Adaptive cruise control on the Opel Astra five-door hatchback and Opel Astra Sports Tourer is available as an option with the following engines:

Engine

Gasoline / Diesel

Fuel consumption l/100 km NEDC combined

CO2 emissions g/km NEDC combined

150 hp 1.4 liter ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo

G

5.6-5.4

128-124

200 hp 1.6 liter ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo

G

6.1-6.0

142-138

136 hp 1.6 liter CDTI

D

4.6-4.4

122-115

ACC and the Astra’s additional driver-assistance systems are key components of future intelligent cars and automated driving. Lane Keep Assist (LKA) applies a gentle nudge of corrective steering if the Astra is about to stray out of its lane, followed by a Lane Departure Warning (LDW) if it should leave its lane. Automated Emergency Braking (AEB), Integrated Brake Assist (IBA), Forward Collision Alert (FCA) and Following Distance Indication (FDI) help to avoid or mitigate frontal collisions. A row of red LED lights flashes on the windscreen in the driver’s field of vision if the Astra is closing too fast on the vehicle in front and a collision is imminent.

Forward Collision Alert: If the gap shrinks below a safe distance, it warns the driver with a loud audible alarm, a visual warning in the instrument cluster and an LED projection on the windscreen.

The Astra’s single (mono) camera, installed at the top of the windscreen, collects the data for these systems.

[1] The “auto resume” function is available on the Astra with the 1.6 CDTI and 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engines.

V6 flagship boasts 230 kW and 370 Nm, world-first Twinster All-Wheel Drive system and 9-speed transmission for the first time ever on a
Holden

Next-generation Holden Commodore on sale in 2018

Next-generation Holden Commodore on sale in 2018

Holden revealed first images and more details of the all-new Commodore ahead of its Australian launch early in 2018. The next-gen Commodore takes cutting-edge safety, driving and infotainment technology and makes it available for today’s Australians, everywhere. The next-generation Holden Commodore is democratizing technology.

Now with images of the next Commodore breaking cover, Australia gets its first look at the sleek and sophisticated design that will be hitting Australian roads in 2018. Designed in Germany by the Opel team with input from GM Holden’s team, the new Commodore takes the best of Europe and makes it great for Australia.

Building on information released last month regarding the next-generation Commodore, Holden has today confirmed a raft of premium technologies will make Commodore the most technologically-advanced Holden ever. From potentially life-saving safety technology features, to active driving technology and seamless infotainment, the all-new Commodore will make driving safer, easier, more involving and more connected than ever before for Australian customers.

“Customers are expecting more of their vehicles than ever before,” said Holden’s Executive Director of Sales, Peter Keley. “The all-new 2018 Commodore redefines the level of technology people can expect, and how tech can help our customers be safer, more involved and more connected than ever before. The Commodore combines technology across a number of areas in a way that you would usually only find in high-end prestige vehicles and makes it available for everyday Australians. Combined with the howling V6, world-first all-wheel-drive system and all the on-road performance you expect from the Commodore, this is a car that ticks all the boxes and more,” said Mr Keley.

Going on sale in Australia early in 2018, the new Commodore range will be headlined by the V6 flagship model, the first ever imported Commodore will honour the iconic nameplate by being the most technologically-advanced Holden ever. With a cutting-edge all-wheel-drive system channeling 230 kilowatts and 370 Newton metres to the road, combined with adaptive suspension technology, a company-first nine-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, the next-generation Commodore will continue to cement Holden’s reputation for class-leading driving dynamics and on-road refinement.

Jeremy Tassone, Holden’s Engineering Group Manager for Vehicle Development, said the technical underpinnings of the next Commodore also represents Holden’s commitment to bringing the best vehicles from around the word to Australian customers.

“From its cutting-edge all-wheel-drive system, to nine-speed transmission and adaptive suspension, this is a true driver’s car in the way Commodore has always been. We’re taking the best of Europe and making it even better for our Australian customers. I can’t wait for our customers to get behind the wheel”

In addition to the Commodore’s unique all-wheel-drive system, further details surrounding the ‘FlexRide’ suspension system have also been confirmed. The continuously adaptable FlexRide chassis electro-hydraulically adapts the dampers to the road and the driving conditions 500 times per second or 30,000 times per minutes.

Additionally, the driver can save personal preferences for the steering characteristics, throttle response and dampers via the ‘Sport’ button.

Standard: The automatic control selects the best set-up based on the information collected by the vehicle sensors.

Tour: Comfortable chassis configuration, and throttle
response for best fuel consumption and most relaxed touring. The right
mode for relaxing long-distance drives.

Sport: Brake dive is reduced, flat and responsive chassis
control at high speeds and the throttle and steering provide more direct
feedback.

The new central ‘Drive Mode Control’ software is the heart and soul of the adaptive chassis. It continuously analyses the information provided by the sensors and setting and recognizes the individual driving style. The individual systems are then optimized for the best traction and road position.

Exterior Design:

The design of the next Commodore is based on the ‘Monza’ Concept car, created by the Opel Design team in Germany. The prominent front grille and the slim-line headlamps are directly inspired by the Monza Concept enhance the wide horizontal gesture of the front end and provide it with a bold appearance. The grille sits lower than on the outgoing model and further emphasises the solid stance.

The side window graphics feature with an upper chrome strip, rather than a full-chrome treatment, and the coupé-like roofline graphically pull the car down and emphasize its stretched appearance. The ‘blade’ light catcher in the lower doors pulls attention rearwards. The new Commodore is as sleek as it looks: it has an exemplary drag factor of 0.26 making it one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in its class.

At the rear, clear and simple lines combined with the slim, precise double-wing LED signature also give the car a wider appearance. The newly designed center high-mounted LED stop lamp has been integrated into the roofline. It helps to give the rear end a more high-tech look typical of premium brands’ vehicles.

Interior Design:

The attention to the smallest detail is also evident inside the Commodore. The cockpit is organized along horizontal lines, enhancing the feeling of elegant lightness and of space. The cockpit is orientated to the driver for a sportier feeling. The generous center console that further embraces the driver provides the feeling of sitting in a much larger class of vehicle. Clean lines, modern surfaces and first-class craftsmanship with soft-feel materials at all touch points contribute to a feeling of elegance and grace.

Infotainment system design:

Equal attention has been paid to the controls and the infotainment interface. The frameless touchscreen of the infotainment system exudes a sophisticated and technical charm. Many functions are controlled via the touchscreen in order to simplify the interface, while three clusters of buttons have been designed to allow quick and intuitive operations: the upper ones for the major functions of the infotainment system, the central ones for climate and heating controls, the lower ones for driver assistant controls. This very clear set-up avoids drivers and passengers having to dive into sub-menus on the touchscreen to find the most essential functions.

Grand technologies: Most sophisticated all-wheel drive system in class

Grand innovations: Next generation IntelliLux LED

Grand comfort: AGR-certified wellness seats

Grand service: Extended Opel OnStar service with Personal Assistant

Grand premiere: Unveiled March 2017 at next Geneva Motor Show

All-New Opel Insignia Grand Sport

Make way for the Opel Insignia Grand Sport. The first look at the next generation of Opel’s flagship already shows why it deserves its new name. Following the successful first generation Insignia, the Car of the Year 2009 of which more than 900,000 have been sold already, the new Insignia Grand Sport is based on a completely new vehicle architecture.

The wheelbase has been elongated by 92 mm, enabling a much more spacious interior that especially benefits the rear passengers. It also allowed the designers to give the new Insignia Grand Sport outstanding, new, athletic proportions and a true flagship presence: looking much longer and lower, it has the slim, lithe silhouette of a coupé and the bold road stance of upper class vehicles. This is combined with class-leading aerodynamics and a CD of just 0.26. Inside, the new Insignia Grand Sport also delights the driver with slim, embracing dashboard and a three centimeters lower seating position providing a much engaging and direct driving experience.

As a matter of fact, the new Insignia Grand Sport doesn’t just look more dynamic – it is more dynamic. Like for the Opel Astra, efficiency was key during the development of the new Insignia. Optimized packaging and the use of lightweight material have helped cut the weight by up to 175 kilograms, to the benefit of driving precision and agility. New, high-tech features such as the all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring – the most sophisticated system offered in the segment – or the new eight-speed automatic transmission allow drivers to exploit their strengths to the full.

Furthermore, the Insignia Grand Sport comes with a string of top technologies that make driving it safer, more relaxing and more comfortable than ever. Building on the highly acclaimed LED Matrix adaptive lighting system of the Astra, Opel engineers have already developed the second generation IntelliLux LED light for the Insignia: it is even faster, more precise and more powerful and its high beam now has a reach of up to 400 meters. Lane Keep Assist with automated steering correction, a new head-up display and the 360° camera along with comfort features such as the unique AGR-certified premium seats, front and rear seat heating right up to the heated windshield further enhance the new Insignia’s comfort. Outstanding infotainment and connectivity are obviously also on board thanks to the latest generation IntelliLink systems and the personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar, which, with the launch of the Insignia, will offer a new Personal Assistant service. But the new Insignia Grand Sport does not only care about the safety of its occupants: it is the first Opel with an active aluminum hood which, in case of a collision with a pedestrian, lifts in milliseconds to increase clearance with the hard engine parts, thus improving protection considerably.

“Opel once again lands a major coup with the new Insignia Grand Sport. Our new flagship takes all of the highly acclaimed virtues of its successful brother, the Astra, to a higher level. No other car in the Insignia class can boast as many ultra-modern technologies. We made it light, agile and fantastic to drive. And our designers gave it an exceptional combination of elegance and athleticism that even cars from upper classes and prices will envy. The new Insignia really reaches new heights. It is a Grand Sport in the best sense of the word,” said Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann.

Pure Emotion: Design inspired by Opel Monza Concept

It is not without reason that the much-admired Opel Monza Concept was the inspiration behind the interior and exterior design of the new Insignia Grand Sport: the Monza model was standing in the design studio while designers were creating Opel’s new flagship. Their mission was to make the new Insignia look as upscale, slim and athletic as the concept car.

Designers of the all-new Insignia Grand Sport have given Opel’s new flagship an especially strong visual presence with the on-road stance of high class automobiles

The result speaks for itself. The new Opel Insignia Grand Sport looks as lithe as it has become light. Despite a marginal growth in length (4897 mm) compared to its predecessor, it has managed to shed around 60 kilograms of weight from its body in white alone. In total, the new generation weighs up to 175 kilograms less than the outgoing model. While the wheelbase of its completely new architecture has been enlarged by 92 millimeters, its front and rear overhangs have been sensibly reduced and its tracks widened by 11 millimeters. This gives the Insignia Grand Sport proportions that are more familiar to rear-wheel-drive cars the upper classes. A 29-millimeter lower, sweeping roofline adds to the Insignia’s design drama: it has the athletic and elegant silhouette of a coupé.

All-New Opel Insignia Grand Sport - Athletic and elegant silhouette

The prominent grille and the slim-line headlamps directly inspired by the Opel Monza Concept enhance the wide horizontal gesture of the front end and provide it with a bold appearance. The grille sits lower than on the outgoing model and further emphasizes the solid stance.

The side window graphics feature with an upper chrome strip, rather than a full-chrome treatment, and the coupé-like roofline graphically pull the car down and emphasize its stretched appearance. The “blade” light catcher in the lower doors pulls attention rearwards. The new Opel Insignia Grand Sport is as sleek as it looks: it has an exemplary drag factor of 0.26 making it one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in its class.

All-New Opel Insignia Grand Sport - Double-wing LED signature

At the rear, clear and simple lines combined with the slim, precise double-wing LED signature also give the car a wider appearance. The newly designed center high-mounted LED stop lamp has been integrated into the roofline. It helps to give the rear end a more high-tech look typical of premium brands’ vehicles.

“In its proportions as well as in each detail, we wanted the new Insignia Grand Sport to deliver an upscale quality feel,” said Mark Adams, Vice President Design Europe. “Its design combines flowing lines and subtle surfaces with crisp, precise lines to even exaggerate its dramatic proportions: it looks longer, lower and wider than it actually is, and it definitely looks upscale. Every design feature conveys technical know-how and utmost precision. The new Insignia is an excellent value proposition with the aura of a car from the premium, upper class.”

The attention to the smallest detail is also tangible inside the vehicle. The cockpit clearly reflects Opel's design philosophy "sculptural artistry meets German precision". The instrument panel features subtly sculptured surfaces, a distinct driver orientation, and a wide horizontal layout. The overall design clearly reflects a feeling of efficiency, precision and spaciousness. Rear occupants greatly benefit from the new design and the reworked proportions. The extended wheelbase and a completely new package give them 32 millimeters more room at hip height, 25 millimeters more shoulder and knee room and 8 millimeters more headroom. Trunk volume of 490 to 1,450 liters is also quite impressive. The cockpit is fully aligned to the driver who sits three centimeters lower than previously and is therefore better integrated into the car, getting a sportier, more engaging and intense driving experience. The generous center console that further embraces the driver provides the feeling of sitting in an upper class car. Clean lines, sculptural surfaces and first-class craftsmanship with soft feel, premium material in all touch zones also contribute to a great feeling of wellness and elegance. The overall experience is intuitive and elegant in its simplicity.

Much attention has been paid to the controls and the infotainment interface. The frameless touchscreen of the IntelliLink system exudes a sophisticated and technical character. Many functions are controlled via the touchscreen in order to simplify the interface, while three functional zones of controls have been designed to allow quick and intuitive operations: the upper ones for the major functions of the infotainment system, the central ones for climate and heating controls, the lower ones for driver assistant controls. This very clear set-up avoids drivers and passengers having to dive into sub-menus on the touchscreen to find the most essential functions.

The Insignia Grand Sport is as dynamic to drive as it looks like. It will be available with a wide range of latest generation turbocharged engines and transmissions when it is officially launched next year. The friction-optimized, highly efficient eight-speed automatic transmission is new to the line-up. It impresses with class-leading shifting comfort and will initially only be available in combination with all-wheel drive. The Insignia’s new intelligent all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring is the most sophisticated in class. It is combined with an all-new, high-tech five-link rear suspension. Two electrically controlled multi-plate clutches in the all-wheel drive system replace the usual rear axle differential, providing a much more precise power transmission to each rear wheel individually, no matter whether the roads are graveled, wet, icy or snowy. When cornering, additional torque is transmitted to the outside rear wheel, sensibly reducing understeering and enabling more precise control. The system reacts within a split-second when the accelerator is pressed ensuring that the car remains more stable and easier to steer in every situation.

The further improved FlexRide chassis provides the basis for optimal, situation-based driving behavior. It adapts the dampers, steering, throttle response and shift points (on automatics) independently or based on the modes ‘Standard’, ‘Sport’ or ‘Tour’ which can be selected by the driver. Depending on the selected mode, steering and throttle response are more direct and the ESP anti-skid system intervenes earlier or later. The new central ‘Drive Mode Control’ software is the heart and soul of the adaptive chassis. It continuously analyzes the information provided by the sensors and settings and recognizes the individual driving style.

Safety first: Outstanding assistance systems

The new Insignia Grand Sport not only impresses with a state-of-the-art chassis technology but also with ultra-modern assistance and comfort features. No other model in the segment offers such a wide range of intelligent technologies as the new edition of the Opel flagship.

All-New Opel Insignia Grand Sport - IntelliLux LED Matrix light

One of the highlights in every sense of the word is the (already) second generation of Opel’s innovative and award-winning adaptive IntelliLux LED Matrix light, enabled by new generation LED technology and further developments from Opel engineers. The high beam function now has 32 LED segments – twice as many as in the Astra – longitudinally integrated into the very slim headlamps of the Insignia. The increased number of LED segments enables the various light patterns to adapt to the prevailing traffic situation even more precisely and the transitions between the multiple lighting patterns are faster and more seamless. This results in an improvement of both the quality of light distribution, light intensity and reaction speed. To improve visibility even further while driving through curves on full high beam, Opel engineers added an innovative active curve lighting function to the new Insignia’s IntelliLux LED Matrix headlights. According to the steering angle, the light intensity provided by the LED segments lighting the inner of the curve rises to better illuminate the line to follow, while illumination of the exterior of the curve is dimmed down. Last but not least, a further, dedicated LED spotlight located within the low beam module provides additional illumination at full high-beam for up to 400 meters – a solution which is much more affordable than laser high beams and more relevant as well, as the spotlight can be activated and used much more often.

Additional driver assistance systems include:

the Head-up-Display: Information on speed, traffic signs, set
speed of speed limiter or navigation direction is projected onto the
windshield and in the driver’s direct line of sight ensuring that the
eyes remain on the road.

the 360° camera, which consists of four individual cameras on
each side of the car. It enables a 360-degree bird’s-eye view and thus
facilitates every parking maneuver.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which measures the distance to
the vehicle in front and adapts the speed accordingly. ACC will
initiate automatic emergency braking if the distance decreases abruptly.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The system uses radar sensors in
the rear bumper to detect objects coming from up to 20 meters at 90
degrees from the left or right side behind the vehicle, a very useful
function when reversing out of a parking spot with limited visibility.

Simply outstanding: Top-level comfort and infotainment

The Insignia Grand Sport also set standards in comfort. Opel is still one of the very few manufacturers to offer seats certified by “Aktion Gesunder Rücken” (Campaign for healthy backs), and surely the one who contributed most to their democratization. The premium ergonomic front seats in the Insignia offer a unique combination of electric side bolster settings, massage, memory and ventilation functions in addition to the multiple standard adjustment possibilities. Passenger in the rear can also look forward to more comfort with the two outside seats being available with seat heating. Elsewhere, the heated windshield guarantees good visibility quickly on cold winter days. In addition, keyless “Open & Start” comes as standard on all trim levels and enables comfortable access to the vehicle.

Great entertainment and outstanding connectivity – both typical for Opel – are ensured by the latest Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible IntelliLink systems. And while the smartphone is seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s infotainment it now can also be charged wirelessly without the use of a cable. Naturally, the groundbreaking connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar is also on board, offering services ranging from Automatic Crash Response to Stolen Vehicle Assistance. A new Personal Assistant service will be launched together with the Insignia, enabling its occupants to ask OnStar advisors, for example, to select a hotel and proceed to room reservation. Furthermore, the 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot featured in the OnStar system allows all Insignia occupants to connect their devices to the net.

Opel’s new flagship will celebrate its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017.